New Orleans is going woke and broke.

November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month to honor and thank all those who have served in the U.S. military and their families for their sacrifices and contributions. The month includes Veterans Day on November 11th and features numerous events nationwide to recognize service members, including local ceremonies, community events, and educational programs.

However, during this month, the New Orleans City Council is asking voters to approve a bond package that includes millions of dollars to deconstruct the park inside Tivoli Circle instead of simply putting a bronze Flag of Honor on top of the existing column and declaring it a Blue Star and Gold Star memorial park as the Italian Federation suggested.

The park is located 300 feet from the National World War II Museum. The Italian Federation in 2018 suggested adding statues to the Tuskegee Airmen, Navajo Code Talkers, Women in the Military, and First Responders. Thus,  creating a grand entrance from St. Charles Ave to the Museum.  The American Monuments Department in Washington DC is interested in funding the statues.

Neither the City Council nor the Downtown Development District would allow the Italian Federation on their agendas. Instead, they have continued to only listen to a group that wants to repurpose Tivoli Circle to hold events regarding Jim Crow. The mall park has no restroom facilities and no parking. That group has pushed to rename Tivoli Park to Harmony Circle.

Besides the National World War II Museum, New Orleans has a VA Hospital and Military Base near Tivoli Circle. While other cities have large Blue Star Memorials and governments that hold events to honor first responders, veterans, and active-duty New Orleans does not. The Council has chosen to go woke and to go broke.

Voting no on the $510 Million Bond package is a step towards creating a transparent and accountable City Council and government.